Port Elizabeth (South Africa), Feb.24: South Africa have levelled the three-Test series against Australia one all after engineering a stunning batting collapse in the visitors’ ranks on Sunday in the second Test played on a flat St George’s Park pitch at Port Elizabeth.

For the record, Australia lost nine wickets in the last session to hand South Africa victory.

According to the Daily Telegraph and the Herald Sun, an inspired spell of reverse swing bowling by Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander won South Africa the second Test on the fourth day, notwithstanding a defiant century by opener Chris Rogers. Australia was bowled out for 216, leaving the South African victors by 231 runs.

Rogers was second last man out for 107 and had an opening partnership of 126 with David Warner (66) before Australia lost ten wickets for 90 runs. No other batsman managed to score more than six, as Steyn finished with 4 wickets for 55 runs.

The match was just two balls from going into a fifth day after the umpires decided to take an extra half an hour and Steyn was not able to bowl the last over because of bad light, but umpire Richard Illingworth gave Nathan Lyon out leg before wicket even though he appeared to hit the ball.

This last gasp victory has provided enormous relief for Proteas captain Graeme Smith, with rain forecast on the final day.

Rogers made his third century in four Tests, saving his Test career after three single figure scores.

South Africa’s bowlers not only embarrassed Australia’s batsmen, but also Australia’s fast bowlers, with Steyn and Vernon Philander displaying exceptional use of reverse swing and Morne Morkel generating dangerous bounce.